202 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



Thelia. Other mosses commonly growing at the base 

 of trees are a lighter green, with larger leaves, and 

 curved capsules. 



57. THUIDIUM Bryol. Eur. (Thu-id-i-um) 



A genus containing a great many species, widely 

 distributed. The three most frequent species are given 

 below. Name derived from the Latin for a '' small 

 feathery branched tree," referring to the delicate 

 branching of the plants. 



r 



Thuidium ahietinum 



Thuidium delicattdum 



Portion of stem and 

 branches enlarged. 



a. Stems regularly pinnate .... T. ahietinum. 



b. Stems regularly bipinnate or tripinnate .... 



T. delicatulum. 

 T. recognitum. 



Note. Care must be taken not to mistake the bipinnate or tripinnate 

 branches for leaves. The leaves on the branches are too small to be seen 

 without a lens. Stem leaves can sometimes be seen. 



